The SHSAT (Specialized High Schools Admissions Test) is an important test for students who want to get admission to specialized high schools in New York City. This is why students use the SHSAT practice test for good preparation. But, they are not sure to take the best advantage of it. As a result, their hard work goes wasted. But, if you recognize errors and make changes soon, it can result in big improvements in scores. This message will show the usual mistakes students make during SHSAT practice tests and give methods to fix them.
SHSAT Practice Test Mistakes And Prevention
Here are the common mistakes and how you can prevent them.
1. Mismanaging Time
Time management is a major part of the SHSAT. Students usually spend too much time on tough questions and in the end they have little time for the questions they know. They rush towards the questions they know but make errors.
How to Avoid It:
- Mimic the test day scenarios in real-time with a timer for the SHSAT practice test.
- Divide your allocated time according to the format. If there are 57 questions in 90 minutes, each question shouldn’t take more than 1.5 minutes.
- Skip the challenging questions from the start and return to them later.
2. Ignoring Answer Explanations
Once the test is completed, the students will only think about their score but now about reviewing their mistakes. They will just check the SHSAT score calculator to assess their score but will not recheck their answer details. If they do not assess their answers once again then they are more likely to repeat the mistakes once again.
How to Avoid It:
- Check every incorrect answer and see why they were incorrect.
- Log your mistakes, note the patterns, and make sure you understand every bit.
- Work with a teacher or tutor to clarify misunderstandings.
3. Not Simulating Test Conditions
Most of the time the students will take practice tests in comfortable environments. However, they take tests with distractions, access to notes, and breaks. This doesn’t simulate the real test conditions and leads to underperformance on test day.
How to Avoid It:
- Take the SHSAT practice test in a quiet environment with a time limit.
- Use a printed test or online format that mirrors the official test.
- Avoid pausing the test for breaks or checking answers mid-test.
4. Relying Too Much on Guessing
Some students will solve the question through guesses instead of attempting solving logically. Though it is important to guess overly relying on it reduces problem-solving skills.
How to Avoid It:
- Eliminate the wrong answer choices before guessing.
- Develop strategies for solving unfamiliar problems, such as working backward or estimating.
- Practice solving problems without immediate access to multiple-choice options.
5. Overlooking Reading Comprehension Strategies
In the ELA part, students often just glance at passages or concentrate too much on less important details, which results in wrong answers.
How to Avoid It:
- Read carefully by underlining key points and summarizing paragraphs.
- Understand the main idea before answering questions.
- Look for evidence in the passage rather than relying on memory.
6. Struggling with Grid-In Math Questions
Not like multiple-choice questions, grid-in question needs students to create their own answers. A lot of students either make errors in calculations or write wrong numbers on the answer grid.
How to Avoid It:
- Double-check calculations before gridding answers.
- Pay attention to number placement, avoiding misalignment.
- Review common math errors and practice similar problems frequently.
Conclusion
When it comes to SHSAT practice tests, students will need to practice more than just content knowledge. These are the common mistakes that students make and do not get the max from the practice test. You can consider contacting the Ivy Tutors as they focus on organized, outcome-focused test prep to help students improve their abilities.
